Sven: I'm staying - for now

Sven-Goran Eriksson finally gave an assurance over his future as he promised England fans that he would still be in charge of the national side for the Euro 2004 finals.

Eriksson also insisted that his team have the ability to win next summer’s tournament in Portugal after securing their place with a display full of character in Turkey.

The England coach’s future was nevertheless, yet again, immediately on the post-match agenda after renewed speculation during the build-up that he was preparing to leave imminently for Chelsea.

Eriksson did little to reassure supporters when he was questioned on the eve of the game, merely insisting that “nothing has changed“.

He was similarly unconvincing in a post-match television interview, prompting renewed question-marks to be raised by Sky Sports studio guests, including Blackburn boss Graeme Souness.

However, admittedly at the third time of asking, the Swede finally provided a verbal assurance at a later press interview.

Asked initially whether he would still be in charge next summer, Eriksson responded: “Nothing has changed and you must believe me.”

Asked again, however, he replied: “As the situation is today, then yes.” When pressed even further on the subject, he finally responded with a simple “Yes“.

Sceptics will no doubt wonder why the England coach has otherwise been so hesitant and equivocal, although his frustration at being asked the same question on so many different occasions is clear.

“You should never be concerned in life, never,” he added.

Real doubts do still nevertheless remain at the Football Association as to whether Eriksson will still be in charge after next summer’s finals.

However, he is at least facing that tournament with confidence after securing the necessary point in England’s group decider in Turkey to end the qualifying stages unbeaten.

He declared: “We have shown many times over the past couple of years that we shouldn’t be afraid of any team.

“I can’t say that we will win Euro 2004 but I think we are good enough to win it. We are one of several teams who could do it.

“To beat England these days in a real game is not that easy. I have always said that we have a very good team when we have very few injured players and we have seen that.

“But, of course, if you talk about France, Germany and Italy, they are good as well and that’s a problem.”

Asked if it was his most satisfying night in the job, Eriksson seemed to agree.

“I think so, but you also have to compare it with Germany, maybe Greece and Argentina, maybe also Denmark,” he said.

“The players were very happy, just like I was. Maybe they said well done to me, just like I did to them.”

The England coach now has eight months in which to prepare his side for the finals, with a friendly already being planned against a European side next month instead of participation in the play-offs.

“What will I do now? See if there are some new players to come in, of course. That’s the main thing now,” concluded Eriksson.

“We have five friendlies before the finals so they are important as well. We have a lot of time to prepare now.”